Sanctuary

From the root chakra, we move upward to the sacral chakra.  Sacral, because it's right around the sacrum, a name that shares its etymology with "sacred".  Within the sacral chakra we find the source of the old bit about having to love yourself before you can love anyone else.  The sacral chakra houses the expression of the personality, of individuality, but also, the source for our need and ability to reach out to others.  When our sacral chakra is balanced and open, we can more effectively know and appreciate ourselves and subsequently, more effectively be a part of our world. 

Here's the source of our creativity.  Literally, as it's linked to our reproductive organs, but also on a more imaginative level, because it spawns our creative expressions.  Due to all these heady responsibilities, the sacral chakra is associated with the sacred; it's no mistake this part of our body is named for it.  How you define and relate to "sacred" in your life is unique to you. 

This chakra is often symbolized by the moon, which seems fitting.  The moon is mysterious, appears in the dark of night and quietly and effortlessly controls the tides.  Oh the symbolism around this stuff!  The moon, water, sacred spaces, it all has a bearing here and it's worth it for you to check in with your own sacral chakra to see where your mind goes.  Regardless of how it hits you, you really should give it some thought, because these poor lower chakras are too often shut down, ignored or even repressed.  We're made to feel a little nervous by their raw, tactless and somewhat barbarian rhythms.  We worry our own inner Incredible Hulk, werewolf or the like is stirring in there, just waiting to be released, and that once we do that, there's no getting things under control again.  These are ego-based concerns, and it's not fair to relegate them to our own, let's call it, nitty gritty.  Your nitty gritty, I assure you, always moves in peace with every living thing.

On a less esoteric note, this chakra regulates the sex organs, the bladder, prostate (if that's how you roll), womb (if the prostate's not your thing), the kidneys and of course, the sacral nerve plexus.  When you're ailing in any of these areas, your sacral chakra needs some healing because the energy it's taking in and pushing out, is not quite right.  Once you can jump start that gear, you'll be on your way to feeling better (and so will the people you hang out with, because you're blocked sacral chakra is sort of being a jerkwad to them).